The Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) organised a day’s sensitisation workshop on sexual and gender violence for Muslim women leaders and Imams, on Tuesday in Nima, Accra.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) supported the DOVVSU to hold the event to educate 150 participants on the dangers of child marriage.
The Station Officer at the DOVVSU National Secretariat of the Ghana Police Service, Chief Inspector Evelyn Tutu, said child marriage affected the education and health of the child.
She said girls below 18 years were not matured enough to be married off and that “persons involved in such acts will be made to face the law.”
“When the girl is ready for marriage she should be allowed to make her choice of husband and her choice should be respected,” Chief Inspector Tutu, stated.
She said every child had the right to education, healthcare, security among others, and that it was the duty of parents to ensure the safety of their children.
Chief Inspector Tutu said girls who were pushed into child marriage stood a greater risk of being exposed to domestic violence and sexual abuse from their older husbands.
She advised victims to always alert the police of such abuses and urged Muslim women leaders to encourage their young girls to go to school since education was key to success.
Chief Inspector Tutu cautioned families to stop solving cases of domestic violence and its related issues at home, but rather report such cases to the police.
The Public Relation Officer of the Nima Neighbourhood Watch Committee, Ibrahim Iddrisu, expressed worry that violence against women in the area was on the increase.
He, however, said child marriage had declined due to education, but called on parents, opinion leaders and law enforcement agencies to work together end sexual and gender based violence.
Mr Iddrisu also called for the education of the people on the negative impact of domestic violence and child marriage on society.
BY JEMIMA ESINAM KUATSINU
